Chapter 30

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Chapter 30: Named Disciple

Su Muyu’s eyes widened in disbelief. Yi Qianmo had rejected her outright.

For someone of her status, being turned down was unimaginable. She was Su Muyu, the pride of Tianyuan Academy! Who could possibly say no to her?

Yet, Yi Qianmo’s refusal was simple and direct, delivering a blow to her pride like nothing she had ever experienced. It was her first real setback, and it stung.

If word got out, no one would believe that the esteemed Su Muyu had been so thoroughly rebuffed.

Seeing her frozen in shock, Yi Qianmo offered no explanation.

He hadn’t rejected Su Muyu because she wasn’t attractive. No, it was her demeanor—the cold aloofness, the condescension, the way she treated him like a means to her end.

From the moment she entered, she hadn’t truly looked at him as an equal. She wanted something from him, and that was all.

Yi Qianmo despised such attitudes. Yu Youwei had already scarred him with similar behavior, and though Su Muyu hadn’t hurt him directly, her actions stirred that same deep resentment.

And why should Su Muyu, or anyone, look down on him?

He was the heir to a legacy of emperors from the fairyland. His ancestors were immortal rulers! How could he be limited by the small kingdom of Yan or the arrogance of its nobles?

“Why?” Su Muyu asked instinctively.

The question surprised even her. Normally, she wouldn’t stoop to ask why she’d been rejected. It felt like pouring salt into her own wound.

“I don’t like you,” Yi Qianmo said bluntly. “So why would I marry you?”

Su Muyu froze, wondering if she had misheard.

But when she looked into his eyes, she saw his sincerity. He truly didn’t like her.

For a brief moment, Su Muyu felt like a fool, standing there, her pride shattered before this calm and indifferent boy.

After a long silence, she looked away, her body trembling slightly. “But what about your family? You must think of them.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Yi Qianmo said firmly. “But I will not accept your proposal.”

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Su Muyu wanted to storm out in anger, but the memory of Yi Qianmo’s astonishing mastery of the Pill Reversal Technique stopped her.

She couldn’t afford to leave without securing him.

“What would it take for you to join Tianyuan Academy?” she asked finally.

“I never said I wouldn’t join Tianyuan Academy,” Yi Qianmo replied. “I just don’t want to marry you—not even for appearances.”

His words struck Su Muyu like a dagger. She clenched her fists to steady herself.

“Then… what about this? I… I will become your student,” she blurted.

Yi Qianmo studied her silently, his expression unreadable.

“You don’t think I’m unworthy of being your student, do you?” Su Muyu’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, though deep down, she feared she might be right.

His gaze said it all. He wasn’t entirely convinced.

“What do you really want from me?” she asked, her voice tinged with frustration and hurt.

Yi Qianmo sighed. “Fine. I’ll take you as a named disciple for now. If you truly have a talent for alchemy, I’ll consider making you my formal student. Does that work for you?”

Su Muyu bristled at his nonchalant tone, but the thought of his skill silenced her pride.

She dropped to one knee. “Disciple Su Muyu greets you, Master.”

“Rise,” Yi Qianmo said, gesturing lightly.

Su Muyu stood and quickly poured a cup of tea, presenting it to him with both hands. Had anyone else witnessed this, they wouldn’t believe their eyes.

The noble Su Muyu, personally serving tea to the once-despised Yi Qianmo?

But Yi Qianmo accepted the tea as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Taking a sip, he set the cup down and said, “You’re close to the Qi Refining Stage, aren’t you?”

Su Muyu nodded respectfully. “Yes, Master. I will soon reach it.”

“Can you sense the spirit within herbs?” Yi Qianmo asked.

“I can,” Su Muyu replied. “I’ve always had a natural connection to spirit herbs. I’ve even been secretly practicing pill-making, hoping to become—”

“You hope to become a Pill Master?” Yi Qianmo interrupted. “Sensing the spirit of herbs is only the first step.”

Su Muyu bit her lip. She couldn’t argue. Someone else had told her the same thing before—a true Pill Master.

“Master, do you really think I can become a Pill Master?” she asked hesitantly.

“No,” Yi Qianmo replied bluntly.

Su Muyu’s heart sank, but before despair could take hold, he added, “But under my guidance, you will.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really? Someone once told me I could never be a Pill Master!”

“That’s because they weren’t skilled enough,” Yi Qianmo said. He produced a Qi Nourishing Pill and handed it to her. “Take this. It’s your gift as my disciple. Use it to break through to the Qi Refining Stage.”

Su Muyu gasped. “A top-grade Qi Nourishing Pill!” She accepted it reverently. “I won’t let you down, Master. Should I move to the Yi family estate?”

“No need,” Yi Qianmo said. “Stay at the Yu family’s residence. Keep an eye on Yu Changqing, and inform me immediately if anything happens.”

“Master, there’s something I must tell you,” Su Muyu said. She quickly recounted the events at the Yu family, including Yu Changqing’s plans to contact the Immortal Gate.

Yi Qianmo merely nodded. “I see.”

Su Muyu was stunned by his calmness. “Aren’t you worried at all?”

“There’s no need to worry,” Yi Qianmo said with a faint smile. “Even if someone from the Xuanyuan Sect arrives, they won’t harm me.”

His confidence left Su Muyu in awe. No longer did she think him boastful. His calm demeanor made it clear—he wasn’t just prepared for the Immortal Gate’s arrival; he was waiting for it.

Far away, in Green Dragon Mountain’s Roaring Bear Valley, a man dressed in black activated the Maze Formation and disappeared into a hidden cave. Something ominous was set into motion.